AUSTIN’S ONLY ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PARTY

Question: What it like to be a part of something as incredibly sick as the CREEM parties during SXSW in Austin? Seriously, we have no recollection. We were busy working while the entirety of Austin shoved its way into a teeny-tiny room at Chess Club to see the likes of Be Your Own Pet, Fugitive, Poison Ruin, Sick Thoughts, and so many more. It was three days of maythem—stage dives and high fives all around. Highlights included Mexican Coke's metal-punk onslaught (and ensuing pit), Militarie Gun's bouncy punk appeal, Soul Glo's utterly psycho hardcore barrage, and CIVIC's triple-espresso-like opening set. It was a walf of hitters. What a year, what a gig, and what a great time, all thanks to our smoke dogz at Slane Irish Whiskey. Here's to the riffs.